UNCW ups security for summer

WILMINGTON -- The UNCW Police Department is beefing up security. Additional surveillance will help keep students and their belongings safe.
Lt. James Watkins said, "Property theft is the biggest crime on our campus."
School's out for summer and area law enforcement officials say crime usually rises this time of year.
UNCW Police say most students have left campus, leaving their valuables behind, making them easy targets for thieves.
Lt. Watkins said, "A lot of people come from small towns, where you can leave your doors open at night or leave your keys in your car, but you can't do that in Wilmington."
Students are also reminded to take extra precautions with their vehicles: locking car doors, and chaining bicycles.
Students say staying safe hasn't been much of an issue.
Robert Cummins lives on campus. He said, "I know all of my neighbors and I always see security out here at night."
Campus resident Katie Bender said, "For the most part I feel really safe."
Bender lives with three other roommates at Seahawk Village, an on-campus apartment complex.
"I always lock my room," Bender said. "And when none of us are here, we'll lock the apartment and if one of us is here, we'll lock the apartment, just in case."
Another reason campus police say crime rises with the heat-- younger students are also out of school.
Lt. Watkins said, "A lot of their parents are working, so they're at home, unsupervised and have more potential of getting into trouble."
Police also say increased security will help students who are on campus, stay safe throughout the summer.
Emergency call boxes are also set up throughout the UNCW campus. Police say if you run into a problem just press the button and help will be on the way.

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